JP2006049180A - Connector structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To assemble components efficiently in a connector housing and obtain the compactness of a connector. <P>SOLUTION: The connector 4 is constructed by installing a circuit body 65 and an electric component 66 connected to the circuit body inside a pair of split housings 64a, 64b, and by making the terminals 68, 69 connected to the circuit body protruded outside the split housing, and by joining the both split housings. Walls 70, 71 of the pair of split housings are laid alternately on top of the other. An opening 77 for exposing the circuit body 65 is formed at the outer wall of the split housing. The electric component 66 is arranged alternately for each split housing. The pair of split housings joined to each other are housed in a case and the case 5 itself constitutes a hood 6 of the connector. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector structure in which an electrical component such as a relay is mounted in a split connector housing, and both split housings are combined to constitute a connector.

  FIG. 9 shows one form of a conventional connector structure (see Patent Document 1).

  This connector structure is connected to a connector housing 91 made of synthetic resin, a relay 92 housed in the connector housing, male terminals 93 and 94 of the relay 92, and a lower circuit board (not shown). And a male terminal 98.

  The relay 92 includes a coil 95 and an iron core 96, a movable plate 97 is located in the vicinity of the iron core 96, the movable plate 97 continues to one male terminal 93, and a base portion of the other male terminal 93 is connected to a contact 97 a of the movable plate 97. , The end of the coil 95 is connected to the lower male terminal 94, the male terminals 93, 94 and the other male terminal 98 have vertical portions 93a, 94a, 98a, each vertical portion being a lower circuit. Soldered to a substrate (not shown).

The connector housing 91 has a rear wall 91a that can be opened and closed via a hinge, and the relay 92 and the terminals 93, 94, 98 are mounted inside the connector housing 91 with the rear wall 91a opened. A connector (not shown) having a mating female terminal is fitted and connected to the connector fitting chamber 91b of the connector housing 91.
JP-A-9-219259 (FIG. 1)

  However, in the above conventional connector structure, terminals and relays must be mounted in a narrow space of the connector housing with the narrow rear wall of the connector housing opened, and the assembly workability of these parts There was a problem of being bad. In addition, there is a problem in that a large space is generated in the connector housing for accommodating the relay, and the connector is increased in size.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a connector structure in which components can be efficiently assembled in a connector housing and the connector can be made compact.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the connector structure according to claim 1 of the present invention, a circuit body and electrical components connected to the circuit body are respectively mounted inside the pair of divided housings, and the circuit body is continued. The terminal protrudes to the outside of each divided housing, and both the divided housings are joined to form a connector.

  With the above configuration, a circuit body is routed for each divided connector, terminals of electrical components are connected to the circuit body by welding, etc., and both divided housings are joined (combined) to form a connector with built-in electrical components. The terminals of the circuit body are arranged in parallel in at least two rows. The mating connector is joined to the connector, and the terminal of the mating connector is connected to the terminal of the circuit body. A bus bar is suitable as the circuit body, and an electric wire is also applicable as the circuit body. Examples of electrical parts include relays and box-shaped fuses.

  The connector structure according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the connector structure according to claim 1, the wall portions of the pair of divided housings are alternately stacked.

  With the above configuration, the two divided housings are smoothly joined while being accurately positioned. Both split housings may be locked by locking means such as locking protrusions and engaging recesses, or temporarily fixed by overlapping each other without being locked and housed in the case in that state. Also good.

  A connector structure according to a third aspect is the connector structure according to the first or second aspect, wherein an opening for exposing the circuit body is provided on an outer wall of the divided housing.

  With the above configuration, the circuit body and the terminal of the electrical component are easily connected by welding or the like from the opening of the outer wall with the divided housing opened. The opening is used as a working window. Examples of electrical parts include relays, fuses, and resistors.

  A connector structure according to a fourth aspect is the connector structure according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the electrical components are alternately arranged for each of the divided housings.

  With the above configuration, for example, electrical components are arranged on the upper side of one divided housing and the lower side of the other divided housing, or electrical components are arranged on the right side of one divided housing and the left side of the other divided housing. Then, by combining the two divided housings, the electric parts of the two divided housings are alternately positioned, and the space in the two divided housings is efficiently used.

  A connector structure according to a fifth aspect is the connector structure according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the pair of divided housings are accommodated in a case and the hood portion of the connector is configured by the case. It is characterized by that.

  With the above configuration, the two split housings are inserted and accommodated in the case without looseness in a state where the two housings are temporarily fixed, for example, by overlapping the two wall portions, the case is permanently fixed while covering the connector, and the connector terminals are in the hood portion. Positioned and protected from interference with outside. The mating connector is fitted into the hood, and the terminals of both connectors are connected to each other.

  A connector structure according to a sixth aspect is the connector structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the circuit bodies mounted on the divided housings have the same shape.

  With the above configuration, circuit bodies having the same shape are used in common in both divided housings, and the circuit bodies are positioned in line symmetry after the assembly of both divided housings.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently mount circuit bodies and electrical components for each divided housing in a state where the divided housings are opened (the state before combining). By combining the housing, it is possible to efficiently manufacture a connector having a complicated internal structure.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the two divided housings can be smoothly joined while accurately positioning each other, and the assembly workability of the connector is improved.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the circuit body and the terminal of the electrical component can be easily connected by welding or the like from the opening of the outer wall in a state where the divided housing is opened. Improves.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to arrange electrical components with high density and space saving by effectively using the space in both the divided housings, and the connector can be made compact.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, the two split connectors can be fixed to each other by being housed in the case in a closed state without being locked, thereby improving the assembling workability of the connector. To do.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, by using the same circuit body, the cost is reduced, and the connector structure is simplified and space-saving is achieved by a line-symmetric circuit after assembly.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a connector structure according to the present invention.

  This connector structure is divided into two divided housings 64a and 64b made of insulating resin, a bus bar (circuit body) 65 made of conductive metal arranged in each of the divided housings 64a and 64b, and a bus bar 65 in each divided housing. And a male terminal 68 of a bus bar 65 projecting outward from the divided housings 64a and 64b, and joining (merging) the two divided housings 64a and 64b to form one connector 4. It is something to be configured.

  The two divided housings 64a and 64b have the same shape, and are composed of upper and lower stepped wall portions 70 and 71, left and right wall portions 73 and 74, and front and rear wall portions 78. In the upper wall portion 70, the right half side wall portion 70a is located on the upper side, the left half side wall portion 70b is located on the lower side, and a stepped recess 70c is located above the left half side wall portion 70b. Is formed. In the lower wall portion 71, the right half wall portion 71a is positioned on the upper side, the left half wall portion 71b is positioned on the lower side, and a stepped shape is formed below the right half wall portion 71a. Are formed.

  When the two divided housings 64a and 64b are joined, the upper wall portions 70 of the two divided housings 64a and 64b overlap vertically, and the lower wall portion 71 overlaps the upper and lower sides, so that the two divided housings 64a and 64b are mutually connected. Temporarily fixed. The left and right wall portions 73 and 74 protrude with a length approximately half of the thickness of the connector 4, and the upper and lower wall portions 71 and 71 protrude longer than the left and right wall portions 73 and 74. When the two divided housings 64a and 64b are joined, the left and right wall parts 73 and 74 may be positioned without being joined (if only the upper and lower wall parts 70 and 71 are fitted with no gap between them). Sufficient temporary fixing force is exhibited).

  The bus bar 65 is routed in a required form on each of the wall portions 78 before and after the divided housings 64a and 64b, and at least the male terminals 68 are arranged in parallel at an equal pitch. The male terminal 68 protrudes outside through the base portion of the lower wall portion 71 of the divided housings 64a and 64b. The terminal of the relay 66 is connected to the bus bar 65 by welding or the like. In addition to the relay 66, components such as a resistor may be connected to the bus bar 65.

  In this example, two relays 66 are provided on the upper half side of one divided housing 64a and two are provided on the lower half side of the other divided housing 64b, respectively, and by combining the two divided housings 64a and 64b, Relays 66 are arranged close to each other in the vertical direction.

  Two relays 66 are arranged in one split housing 64a in a staggered manner in an up and down diagonal direction, and two relays 66 are arranged in the other split housing 64b in a staggered manner in the same manner as the one split housing side. When the housings 64a and 64b are combined, the pair of relays 66 may be arranged close to each other in the vertical direction. The arrangement pattern and number of relays 66 can be set as appropriate.

  Each divided housing 4a, 64b, each bus bar 65, each relay 66, etc. constitute each divided connector 4a, 4b, and two divided connectors 4a, 4b are combined to form one connector 4. Each of the divided housings 64a and 64b can be fixed only by temporary fixing with the upper and lower wall portions 70 and 71 when the case 5 (FIG. 2) described later is used, and when the case 5 described later is not used, for example, left and right wall portions. 73 and 74 are locked by locking means (not shown) such as locking protrusions and engaging recesses.

  When the case is not used, each of the divided housings 64a and 64b can be extended downward to form a hood portion (not shown) that covers the male terminal 68. A connector fitting chamber is formed in the hood portion, and the mating connector accommodating the female terminal is fitted and connected. It is also possible to fit a connector fitting chamber of a mating connector (not shown) outside the divided housings 64a and 64b.

  Further, it is possible to temporarily fix the upper and lower wall portions 73 and 74 by overlapping the left and right wall portions 73 and 74 in the thickness direction. In this case, the upper and lower wall portions 70 and 71 are locked. It is also possible to lock by means (not shown). When the case 5 (FIG. 2) is used, the front and rear wall portions 78 are opened to form a frame-like wall portion as in the embodiments described later, and the bus bar 65 and relay 66 terminals, resistance terminals, etc. from the opening side. It is also possible to weld.

  The internal structure of each of the divided connectors 4a and 4b, that is, the arrangement and shape of the bus bar 65 and the type and rating of the electrical components such as the relay 66 and the resistor may be the same in one divided connector 4a and the other divided connector 4b. It may be different. It is also possible to mount a fuse (box-like fusible link) as an electrical component in the divided housing instead of the relay 66. Moreover, it is also possible to form a female terminal (not shown) by bending the terminal portion of the bus bar 65 instead of the male terminal 68.

  FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a connection module having a connector structure according to the present invention. Although the arrangement and shape of the male terminals 68 are different from the connector structure of FIG. 1, for convenience, the same reference numerals as those of FIG.

  The connection module 1 includes a connector 2 on the standby side (the other party), a frame 3 that accommodates and locks the connector 2 inside, a split connector 4 that is connected to the connector 2, and a connector 4 that accommodates the connector 4. It is comprised with the case 5 inserted in the flame | frame 3 in the state which comprised the hood part 6. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the standby-side connector 2 includes a connector housing 7 made of synthetic resin and female terminals (not shown) with a plurality of electric wires housed in the connector housing 7. The connector housing 7 has large and small terminal accommodating chambers 8 and 9 arranged in parallel in two rows in the front and rear in the thickness direction, and an empty space between the front and rear terminal accommodating chambers 8 and 9 in the thickness direction center of the connector housing 7. 75 is provided, and recesses 10 are formed on both left and right sides of the center in the thickness direction.

  Each of the terminal accommodating chambers 8 and 9 in the front row and the rear row is arranged point-symmetrically. The large terminal accommodating chambers 8 are arranged at an equal pitch, and the small terminal accommodating chambers 9 are arranged at an equal pitch. Each terminal accommodating chamber 8, 9 has a stop wall 76 on the upper end side, and an opening for inserting each male terminal 68, 69 of the split connector 4 (FIG. 2) between the stop walls 76. A flexible terminal locking lance (not shown) is provided inside each terminal accommodating chamber 8, 9. Each female terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 8 and 9 is double-locked by a side spacer 22. The center of the large and small terminal accommodating chamber 8 (the insertion center of the connector 4 with respect to the male terminals 68 and 69) is located on the same plane.

  In this specification, the wide wall surfaces 19 and 21 side of the connector housing 7 are front and rear, and the narrow wall surface 12 side is left and right. However, the definitions of front and rear, left and right are only for convenience of description, and the connection module 1 It does not necessarily coincide with the mounting direction.

  In each recess 10 on the left and right sides of the connector housing 7, a flexible locking arm 11 for the frame 3 (FIG. 2) is provided downward, and on the both sides of the recess 10 on the upper part of the left and right side walls 12. A pair of front and rear locking projections 13 with respect to (FIG. 2) are provided, and a collar 14 for stopping the frame 3 is provided at the lower end of the connector housing 7.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the frame 3 is made of a synthetic resin as a material, and is integrally formed of a rectangular cylindrical frame main body 26 and a bracket 27 that fixes the frame main body 26 to a fixed side such as a vehicle body. The frame main body 26 includes vertical wall portions on the front, rear, left and right, and a pair of engagement protrusions 32 with respect to the locking arm 11 of the connector 2 (FIG. 2) are inward from the inner surfaces of the lower ends of the left and right wall portions 30 and 31. It is provided facing.

  The connector 2 (FIG. 2) is inserted into the frame 3 from the lower opening 37 of the frame 3, and the locking arm 11 (FIG. 4) of the connector 2 is locked to the engaging protrusion 32, and at the same time, the flange portion of the connector 2. 14 (FIG. 4) abuts on the inner flange 38 on the lower end side of the frame 3. The connector 2 acts as a standby connector in the frame.

  In the front wall portion 28 of the frame 3 (FIG. 5), a pair of notch grooves (not shown) for positioning with respect to the rib 20 (FIG. 2) on the front wall side of the connector 2 are provided outside the left and right ends of the flange portion 38. A pair of vertical guide recesses 41 are provided on the inner surface of the front wall portion 28 in communication with each notch groove, and adjacent to the outside of the guide recess 41, the front wall portion 28 and the rear wall portion. A pair of guide grooves 42 in the vertical direction is provided along the left and right ends on the upper half side.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the case 5 is made of a synthetic resin and is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape having a ceiling wall 44, and a flexible lock for the connector 4 is provided below the left and right wall portions 45 and 46. A pair 47 of guide rails 48, 49 for the frame 3 (FIG. 2) is provided on the left and right walls 45, 46 above the lock piece 47, and the lower half of the front wall 50 is provided. A pair of left and right guide recesses 52 for sliding engagement with the ribs 20 of the connector 2 (FIG. 2) and the guide recesses 41 of the frame 3 are provided on the inner surface side. A pair of locking holes 53 for the engaging protrusions 54 of the connector 4 are provided.

  The case 5 is inserted downward from the upper opening 63 of the frame 3 (FIG. 5) with the connector 4 fitted inside from the lower opening 62 (FIG. 6), and is a connector locked to the lower side of the frame 3. A connector 4 is joined to 2 and electrically connected.

  The connector 4 (FIG. 2) can be divided into two in the front-rear direction from the dividing surface 72, and the upper and lower wall portions 70, 71 of the divided housing 64 are fitted in a concavo-convex shape on the left and right sides and temporarily fixed to each other.

  6-8, a synthetic resin hollow rectangular frame-shaped connector housing 64 (64a, 64b), a plurality of conductive metal bus bars 65 accommodated and routed in the connector housing, and the connector housing The split connector 4 is configured by a relay 66 connected to the bus bar 65, a resistor 67 connected in the middle of the bus bar 65, and male terminals 68 and 69 of the bus bar terminal protruding from the connector housing 64 to the outside. Has been.

  The connector 4 is divided into two from the center in the thickness direction of the connector housing 64, and the connector housing 64 opens the front and rear walls (outer walls) to form a frame wall, and the bus bar 65 and the terminal 66a of the relay 66 from the opening 77 of the frame wall The terminal 67a of the resistor 67 can be connected by welding. Thus, the case 5 that covers the front and rear openings 77 of the connector housing 64 is required.

  In the connector housing 64 of FIG. 2, the opening 77 of the front and rear wall portions 78 is omitted, and the connector housing 64 is configured by upper and front / rear / left / right wall portions. For convenience of explanation, the connectors 4 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 to 8 are described with the same reference numerals.

  Each divided connector 4a, 4b is provided with a bus bar 65, a relay 66, and a resistor 67. The position of the relay 66 is different for each divided connector 4a, 4b, and when the divided connectors 4a, 4b are combined, The relays 66 are alternately (staggered) or staggered.

  The male terminals 68 and 69 are arranged in two rows before and after the connector housing 64, and each row of male terminals is composed of a wide and long tab terminal 68 and a narrow and short pin terminal 69. 69 are arranged point-symmetrically.

  Each tab terminal 68 is inserted and connected to each large female terminal (not shown) in the large terminal accommodating chamber 8 of the connector 2, and each pin terminal 69 is each small female terminal (in the small terminal accommodating chamber 9). (Not shown).

  In the connector housing 64, the tab terminal 68 continues integrally with the wide bus bar 65, and the pin terminal 69 continues integrally with the narrow bus bar 65. Each bus bar 65 is fixed to a frame-like connector housing 64 by molding or the like.

  The tab terminal 68 protrudes longer than the pin terminal 69 and is inserted into the large female terminal (not shown) before the pin terminal 69, and then the pin terminal 69 is inserted into the small female terminal (not shown). The As a result, bending deformation or the like due to a twist or the like of the thin pin terminal 69 is prevented, and both the male and female terminals are smoothly and reliably connected.

  If the relay 66 and the resistor 67 are connected (welded) to the bus bar 65 from the center split surface side in both split connectors, the front and rear walls 78 are provided on the connector housing 64 as shown in FIGS. The hood 6 can be configured by extending the front, rear, left and right walls 78, 73, 74 in the male terminal protruding direction, and guide rails 48, 49 are provided on the left, right walls 73, 74 of the connector housing 64. If the lock piece 47 or the guide recess 52 is provided in the hood portion 6, the case 5 can be omitted.

  In the connector housing 64 of FIG. 6, a pair of left and right engaging projections 54 are provided on the lower end side (male terminals 68, 69 side) of the front and rear frame walls, and the connector 4 is connected to the case 5 from the lower opening 62 of the case 5. By being inserted (fitted) in, the engaging protrusion 54 is engaged with the locking hole 53 of the case 5, and the upper wall 70 of the connector 4 is positioned in contact with the inner surface of the upper wall 44 of the case 5. It is also possible to provide one engaging protrusion 54 at the center of the connector 4 and one locking hole 53 at the center of the case 5. The configuration of these details can be changed as necessary.

  In this example, by inserting the case 5 together with the connector 4 into the frame 3, the front end face of the connector 4 comes into contact with the front end face of the mating connector 2, and the male terminals 68 and 69 of the connector 4 are accommodated in the terminal 2 of the connector 2. The female terminals in the chambers 8 and 9 are inserted and connected.

  Note that the connector 2 can be connected to the split connector 4 by using it as a connector of a normal wire harness instead of being attached to the frame 3 as a standby connector. Moreover, it is also possible to use an electric wire instead of the bus bar 65 as a circuit body.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the connector structure which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an example of a connection module provided with one form of a connector structure. It is a top view which shows one form of the connector of the other party in a connection module. It is a front view which similarly shows the other party connector. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows one form of the frame which latches the connector of the other party. It is sectional drawing which shows the fitting state of one form of the split-type connector in a connection module, and one form of the case which accommodates it. It is a bottom view top view which shows the connector in a case. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the male terminal of the connector in a case. It is a perspective view which shows one form of the conventional connector structure.

Explanation of symbols

4 Connector 5 Case 6 Hood 64a, 64b Divided housing 65 Bus bar (circuit body)
66 Relay (Electric parts)
68, 69 Male terminal 70, 71 Wall 77 Opening

Claims (6)

  A circuit body and electrical components connected to the circuit bodies are respectively mounted inside the pair of split housings, and terminals connected to the circuit bodies are projected to the outside of the split housings. A connector structure characterized by comprising.   The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the wall portions of the pair of split housings are alternately stacked.   The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein an opening for exposing the circuit body is provided on an outer wall of the divided housing.   The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the electrical components are alternately arranged for each of the divided housings.   The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the pair of divided housings are accommodated in a case in a joined state, and the hood portion of the connector is configured by the case.   The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the circuit bodies attached to the respective divided housings have the same shape.

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